A fire broke out and spread quickly due to a strong wind in a downtown area of central Japan's Niigata Prefecture on Thursday, prompting hundreds of people to evacuate.

The fire broke out around 10: 30 a.m. local time at a restaurant in the city of Itoigawa, and has spread to over 50 buildings, including shops and residences in the neighborhood, due to a strong wind, according to local fire department.

One person has been sent to hospital for smoke inhalation, and over 270 households involving more than 580 people in the vicinity have been advised to evacuate.

Local firemen are still fighting the fire.

 source: Xinhua